Celebrating Moms at Collingswood!

Planning a Mother’s Day celebration may look a little different with your mom now in senior living, but that doesn’t mean it has to be any less special – or exciting for this irreplaceable woman in your life! Grandmothers are usually the matriarch in the family, the glue that holds it all together. They can be well rounded, nurturing, strong, and very thoughtful. And if there’s one thing they all have in common, it’s their love for family. If you’re fortunate enough to have a grandmother for your children, do not waste the opportunity to celebrate them – especially today!

Here are four great ways to celebrate and honor senior moms on Mother’s Day from our assisted living coordinators in South Jersey.

1. Treat her to a day out. Whether she lives at home or in an assisted living community, Mom deserves a day to get out and about! You can start with some pampering at the spa or local hair salon and then make a reservation at her favorite restaurant for brunch. Wherever you choose to go, make sure it incorporates the activities mom loves to do. For example, if she has a sweet tooth, take her to a local ice cream shop and treat her to a soft serve in a cone with the works!
2. Cook her favorite meal. If you love to cook and host, you can also use Mother’s Day as an opportunity to get the whole family together. Food has been and always will be a way to bond with the ones you love. Mom will appreciate your effort in the kitchen and that you brought everyone together to enjoy the day. If mom can’t or doesn’t want to leave her assisted living community, you can bring a more intimate dinner to her apartment or, if the weather permits, set up a family picnic outside on community grounds. Here at Collingswood, we have a beautiful outdoor space with tables and chairs set up for our residents and their families.
3. Attend an event with her in her senior community. Many senior living communities like UMC at Collingswood have special events planned each month for their residents. Our Mother’s Day plans are still in the works this year, but in the past, we have welcomed residents and their families to enjoy the day together here. We have also offered fun activities to take part in like T’ai Chi, bible studies, and streaming feature films complete with signature movie snacks!
4. Let her teach you one of her pastimes. Knowledge is power and almost always the best gift one can receive and pass on to others. Ask mom ahead of time what activity she would like to pass on to you and the grandkids. For instance, if she has a knack for painting, she can teach everyone something easy like watercolor. This experience will serve as quality bonding time, and everyone will leave with a tangible memory they can hang on their wall and look back on. You just might create a new Mother’s Day tradition! If you need help setting up a group activity with mom, ask one of her caregivers for assistance – they would be happy to help!

Honoring Grandma in assisted living on Mother’s Day

Mobility and health issues can prevent some seniors from being able to leave their assisted living community, like UMC at Collingswood, to celebrate Mother’s Day. That being said, there’s no reason we can’t bring the celebration to them! Give us a call and let us know how we can best accommodate your Mother’s Day plans for your mom. Our senior living community has many indoor and outdoor communal spaces where your family can gather and safely spend time with Grandma.

Get in touch to find out how we can help make Mother’s Day truly special for your loved one. To learn more about our special events for seniors in Camden County, please visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/collingswood/

This blog was originally published at https://umcommunities.org/collingswood/blog/celebrating-moms-at-collingswood/

Celebrating Mother’s Day in Assisted Living

Mother’s Day is almost here! It’s the perfect time to celebrate the women who raised us and encouraged us through both the good and bad times. This Mother’s Day, however, may be different if you’re facing a “new normal.” It can be a particularly challenging time for you if your mother has new medical concerns and lives in an assisted living community. Fortunately, there are many different ways you can celebrate Mother’s Day with your mom in assisted living! Here are just a few ways you can make the day special for your mom, from our Camden County assisted living team at UMC at Collingswood.

Avoid the Zoom Meeting if Possible

Mother’s Day isn’t about what you do or the gifts you give, as much as it’s about spending time with your mom.  Quality time is what she really wants! Even if it’s not on Mother’s Day, make a plan to spend the day with her in person if possible. If her medical conditions don’t allow her to leave the assisted living community, why not plan to tag along with her to any activities they offer on-site. If attending her activities isn’t a possibility, you can plan a movie day and watch all mom’s favorites together. Just don’t forget to plan the snacks! Or if movies aren’t her thing, plan to pamper mom a little with a fresh manicure, pedicure, a gentle face mask, and a foot and hand massage! Everyone loves a little pampering from time to time.

You Know What They Like – Bring It!

Bring mom her favorites, whether it’s a meal from her favorite restaurant or her favorite baked goods, her favorite flowers, or all three! If there is a family recipe she isn’t able to make anymore, make it yourself and bring it over. Remember, mom will appreciate the thought whether you made it yourself or bought it. If it is impossible for you to be with mom on Mother’s Day, send her a care package and plan for another day that you will be able to come to see her. The package can include all her favorites discussed above and maybe a new book she’s been wanting, her favorite movie on DVD, or a cozy robe! No one knows your mom better than you so personalize it to her.

Get Outside – Plan a Picnic

Sometimes elderly residents fall into a habit of staying indoors, and Mother’s Day is a perfect excuse to nudge them to get some sun. If the weather is right, plan a picnic for you and your mom in her community. This is a great option because you can prepare the meal before you go and have everything ready for mom. Make sure you bring a blanket, or a foldable chair to sit on if getting up and down is a challenge for her. Enjoying the weather with a nice meal is a great way to spend time together while getting some Vitamin D.  You can put together a playlist of her favorite songs to listen to while you enjoy your lunch together!

Mother’s Day at UMC at Collingswood

Remember that although this Mother’s Day might be different from your holidays past, together you can still make this day special for mom. If you’re looking for assisted living in Camden County, our experts at UMC at Collingswood can answer all of your questions. Visit https://collingswood.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://collingswood.umcommunities.org/collingswood/celebrating-mothers-day-in-assisted-living/